Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 August 1936 — Page 13
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Acting, Plot,
Photography
i Are Factors|
Miss Hepburn Reported at Best in Film on View at Circle Theater.
BY JOHN W. THOMPSON Into the swampy little harbor of Leith, a Scottish town a few miles from Edinburgh, one night in the year 1561 there crept a strange galley, with a strange crew and a stranger cargo. Her pathway lit only by the flickering illumination from pitchpots here and there, a dainty, smiling little lady picked her way to the solid shore. It was Mary Stuart, back to her native land from France where her immature mind had been tortured by the gravity of royal responsibility at an age when romance and adventure should have held sway. There in the sullen fog which hung in ghoulish blanke$s over the water, Mary knelt. Those who stood near her heard her pray: “0, Heavenly Father, I give Thee thanks for the security of this voyage that hath brought us safely to my native land. Counsel my heart and guide my steps , .. that I may rule with piety and wisdom.”
Honors Are Deserved g
Thus does John Ford's distinguished production of Maxwell Anderson’s famous play, “Mary of Scotland,” begin. Not only do Mr Ford and Dudley Nichols, who penned the screen play for the motion picture which opens today at the Circle, deserve high praise for this moving drama of Great Britain’s most romantic tragedy, but the entire cast and production staff are in line for the laurel wreath of motion picture honor. Mary Stuart's return rekindled in Queen Elizabeth of England fear of the Stuart claim to her throne. Even in her native Scotland, many of the Peasants and nobles resented her Iule. . © Her only allies were her four ladies-in-waiting, the famous four Marys, her Italian secretary, Rizzio, the noble Huntley and the fiery Earl of Bothwell. Mary, partly through the cunning machinations of Elizabeth, decides to marry the weakling, Lord Darnley, as a choice to strengthen her . claim to the English throne,
Nobles’ Rouse Ire However, the Scotch nobles, all seeking power, arouse - Darnley’s Jealousy of Rizzio, and with his help murder the Italian almost before Mary's eyes. Then they try to force her to sign a paper confessing her own guilt in the crime. But when Mary hears the pipes of Bothwell, she tricks the nobles, doesn’t sign the confession. - Thereupon the nobles lay a trap for Bothwell. Mary combats this “with her forgiveness of Lord Darnley for his complicity in the murder of Rizzio. Through Darnley’s aid to Bothwell, the nobles are forced to flee the country. While Mary rules Scotland with ¢ Bothwell close by for protection, a ¢ -son, James, is born to her. When : Elizabeth hears this she is furious * because the birth made it possible » for a Stuart to follow her onthe throne of England. The nobles, sensing the proper time, return and i Say Darnley, laying the blame on + Bothwell. John Knox, a “reformed” preachr, Spreads antagonism against thwell. But Mary, madly in love th the Earl and sure of his innopermits herself to be abted. He takes her to his castle d they are married secretly. Romance Brings Disaster * Public reaction to Mary's new roance is disastrous. The people e it as an admission of her guilt the death of Darnley. To avert revolution, Bothwell agrees .to the country if Mary is allowed rule in peace. After he is gone, e nobles betray the bargain, imMary and adopt the young King. In Denmark Bothin vain to raise troops to Mary to power. He finally & Danish prison, where he ofS in through Elizabeth's
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imprisons -her, and upon , Bothwell's death she has Mary tried d convicted of high treasen. her last night in prison, ElizaRomes to So Maxy, offers her free-
th English throne. In this last at the cards of fate, Mary sees:
her opportunity to win a final vic--
: |end is my beginning.”-
it she will sign away her right ©
Rag:
tory over the jealous Elizabeth by refusal. Even as she -goes. to the scaffold, Mary knows that hers has been the more lasting victory, a victory won by her-own motto: “In my And as the headsman rips the ruff from her throat, Mary Stuart smiles, the smile of the victor, of one who has loved and lived, beautifully and perhaps unwisely, but well. To Katharine Hepbury for her flawless characterization of the ambitious, sincere Mary, go top honors. With deft skill she has wrought a lasting portrait of the queen which is as entertaining as it is magnetic.
Her lovely diction, talented inter- | pretation and fragile grace; lend the |
role a depth equalled only by that same character as done by Helen Hayes. Mr. March makes an excellent Bothwell. His bravado, his gusty romance, his whole-hearted loyalty give color and action to the role. And no other screen actor could make a better partner for Miss Hepburn. Of the lesser roles, all of which have been splendidly cast, Douglas Walton as Darnley and Florence Eldridge as Elizabeth, stand out, Moroni Olsen, as John Knox, is compelling and John Carradine’s Rizzio calls forth sympathy for the poor Italian. If there are spots (and there are) where the plot drags, where the dialog seems too drawn out for what we get out of it, and if there are times when Miss Hepburn and Mr. March seem. a trifle over-wrought, we willingly forgive all because of the nobility of the entire production. Settings ‘which are magnificent, lighting ‘whieh has seldom been equalled, photography which almost lifts. the picture out of the realm of movies are contributing factors for “Mary of Scotland's” assured success, if not at the box office, cer-
tainly in the hearts of those who | -
appreciate real acting and real plot.
Stockman to Teach
“at Dancing School
‘Louis - Stockman, local dancing. master, left: this week to be an
instructor ‘inthe normal school and convention of the Chicago Association of Dancing Masters to be held at the Sherman and Congress Hotels. This is. the ninth consecutive year that ‘Mr. Stockman has been invited to teach at the school and convention.’ He is to instruct several hundred teachers from all parts of the country in the latest trends of social dancing.
STRAN 1332 E. Wash. St. Double Feature ROBERT TAYLOR - LORETTA YOUNG IVATE NUMBER”
CHARLES BICKFOR 2 FLORENCE RICE "RIDE E OF * EXTRA— LEON. ERROL “COUNCILITIS"
SWIM—DANCE
WEDTLAAE
- Danee BEAR t Mond PAUL 8s A Except Mond »
COOL OZONIZED AIR
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Hear Him TODAY! AN PERJFON. /
is ORCHESTRA
CHUCK AND "CHUCKLES Singing and Dancing Comedy Stars
GEORGE McLENNON ~ “The Black: Sensation”
BILLY BANKS
val
[New Studio | FLIGHT SCENES ‘MAKE'
to. Produce 52 Pictures
[Eastern Coast fs Chosen
for Headquarters by Major Concern.
The Atlantic Coast, cradle of the motion picture industry, once more is to be the scene of major film activities. Grand National Pictures, the country’s newest bigtime producer, has opened studios
‘in the East and have announced
| traditional
‘ives
a program of 52 releases for the coming season, including four musifive natural or “features, eight melo-
For the present, at least, the company does not plan to sign stars to long-term contracts, but will borrow. its headliners. in. the Hollywood manner. Players already: secured - include James Cagney, Eric en, Cecelia Parker, Marian Nixon, Reginald Esther ° Ralston, Eleanor Jean Chatburn and Vince
Producers and - directors, however, have sold their exclusive servGrand’ National. “Doug=las MacLean, light comedy favorite of silent pictures and more recently producer of “Mrs. Wiggs of the
gE | Cabbage Patch” and other features
There is said to be plenty of action in the New York WPA’s Harlem theater project production of “Macbeth,” which is to open at Keith's Theater Tuesday for six performances... The photo above shows some
sword . play between MacDuff (left), Piayed by Charles Collins,
Macbeth, played by Maurice: Ellis.
Below, the famous Shakespearean charasier, Macbeth, is shown on his throne. The setting of the play has been changed to Haiti for the’
Negro production, but no change has been made in the script. With a cast of more than 125, the company is to arrive in Indianapolis Sunday. Due to the time it takes to ready the stage for “Macbeth” the show will
not open until Tuesday night.
ACTRESS WAS WRITER Prior to entering films, Barbara Barandess, - featured in “Lady Be Careful,” ‘conducted a column of “chatter” in a New York newspaper.
Edw. 6. Ribeenn OR Bb!
KEITH SLi)
§ NIGHTS STARTING TUE., AUG. 25 PLUS SPECIAL SAT. ‘MATINEE
N. ¥Y. City Federal Theatre Project’s Famous
HARLEM COMPANY
125 — All-Star Negro Cast — 125
LWAGBETH"
Seat Sule Starts gd and 55¢c.
History calls her ‘‘tem — but the world remembers only that she threw away her throne for love! -
PL dN
AN | 14
PI
REET
tures.
‘and
.} starring ‘Bing Crosby, :-W..C. Fields,
Mary Boland and Charlie Ruggles, is to do all his work under the
| new firm's’ banner.
The musicals will be in charge of Boris Petroff, former producer of stage shows in Publix theaters and director of Mae West pic-
Composers will include HerWHERE, WHAT, WHEN. APOLLO
“China Clipper” with Pat O'Brien, Beverly Roberts, Humphrey Bogart at, JT 138, 1:41, 3:44, 5:47, 7:50 an
CIRCLE “Mary of Scotland’ with Katharine Hepburn 2nd Fredric March, at 11:15, 1:50, 4:30, 7:05 and 9:45. Also Sharkey-Louis fight of iCtures, at 11, 1:35, 4:40, 6:50 and 9
LOEW'S.
121, 7:54 and 10; Also “Trappe i relovision® in: Lyle Talbot .and Rats Afton, at 11:13, 1:44, 4:15, 6:46
KEITH'S
“One Fan at Brenda's,” an orig nal play Miss Tiernan, 8 v ne Tadisnapolls Star) enacted by Fe al Players’ cast, under direction Cot Charles Berkell. At 8:15.
LYRIC
Noble Sissle and JYaudeville on stage at 1, 3:48, 6:45 Also “Charlie Chan at the ae Yrracis with Warner Oland and Helen Wood: t 11:36, 2:24, 5:21, 8:09 and 10 ’ ;
ALAMO Hair TrzEer Casey’ with Jack Perrin. Also “Border Patrolman” with George O'Brien
AMBASSADOR “There's Always Tomorrow.” starIne ® oa atiucis: also “36 Eure I Denle 2% ‘Gloria Stewirt. on OHIO. ‘Bullets or Ballots” with Edward G. Robinson. Also ‘Arizona Raiders” from the well known Zane Grey story.
‘CHINA CLIPPER! MOVIE
With the dynamic Patrick O'Brien as pilot, “China Clipper” makes
a fairly happy landing at the Apollo starting today. Its title and theme, of course, are keyed to recent headlines about
the establishment of transpacific air
air commerce. Its author is the: same
who penned the famous stage and screen hit, “Ceiling Zero.”
The story unfolds at the time returned , from Paris.
| Lindbergh Mr, OiBjen, as Dave Logan, sglespretty
man, is shown boosting his
He gives up a perfectly
good selling job, starts in on a hunch. Mrs. Logan is against the move and finally, after barnstorming around the country for a few months, she leaves him. “Dave gets a backer for a commercial airline, is thrown out when the business falls off. With a young pilot, Tom Collins, and an old inventor, Dad Brunn, Dave lays plans for transoceanic passenger air travel. But capitalists are evasive. They don't think such travel is feasible.
With their last funds, the three
draw. up plans for a transpacific
“Clipper”. ship. Dad Brunn works night and-day. The first wing tests fail. Then a successful test flight is made from Miami to Havana and Dave is set. He becomes ruthless in his enthusiasm to reach his goal. He drives his men. One of his pilots; ‘Hap Stuart, quits. When the ship is completed there follow weeks of effort to get financial backing. Meanwhile European interests are gradually monopolizing Pacific airways. Dave finally gets backing for the flight. The ship takes off in bad weather. After bucking numerous storms and battling through a young typhoon, the ship glides into the Chinese port
bert Magason, who wrote “The Continental” and some of the “Great Ziegfeld” hits; and Sam Oaklund, who did three Ziegfeld shows ‘and numbers “Champagne ‘Waltz” and “When We Love Again” among his hits. "Among the purchased stories are Mary Roberts Rinehart’s “23% Hours: Leave”; “Face the Facts,” by Clarence Buddington Kelland, and Gene Markey’s “Plummer’s Pudding.” ~ A number of perennial best-sell-ers-are to be produced on the melodrama schédule. They include “In His Steps,” “The Five Little Peppers,” “St. Elmo,” “Tempest and Sunshine,” “Rogue's Gallery” and “Sweethearts of the Navy.”
‘Robert Taylor §
In Ursula Parrott’s Grand Love Story
‘THERE'S AL TOMORR! #36 Hours Sto, to Kill” tug
IN AIR THRILLS
‘THAT NEVER LEY
YOU DOWN !
Feel your pounding heart tick off each Saati packed second with two lovers who never knew which kiss would be their last for all eternity! Another winged victory for the pro
ducers, author and star of “Ceiling Z.are.”
{RITZ
just in time to clinch the landing concessions for the American line. Of course there are the traditional romantic conclusions. Alihough “China Clipper” is not “Ceiling Zero” by ‘several ‘on the altimeter, it does le in intriguing. manner the correct story of the development of the transpacific airline, Its chief fault lies in lack of punch. Things are too smoothly uncomfortable, and the climax comes as a matter of course rather n-as a surprise as in “Ceiling Zero.” There is really nothing much to shed tears over,: nothing much to laugh about. But as a sort of fictionized newsreel “China Clipper” hits home. The performances are headed by that of Mr. O’Brien. His flashing style and consistent characterization, keep up the tempo of the piece as best he can. Ross Alexander as one of the faithful pilots, turns in one .of his few serious portrayals, and one he can be proud of. Humphrey Bogart, who started in at the top with his magnificent work in “Petrified Forest” has slipped back several notches and this last doesn’t help very much. Beverly Roberts is a passable heroine and Marie Wilson is seen convincingly in a couple of comedy scenes which don’t have much to do with the plot. It is the thrilling scenes of the real China Clipper’s hop across the Pacific that keep the picture out of a tailspin. (By J. W. T.)
RESIDENTS GET ROLES
More than 2000 residents in the vicinity of Santa Cruz, Cal, will make ‘their screen debuts in “mob scenes” for “Maid of Salem,” Frank Lloyd's production, starring Claud-
ette Colbert. The film company will be on location near Santa Cruz three weeks.
Alamo Books Parole Movie
‘Crusade’ Film to Open for 3-Day Run Tomorrow.
Another of the crusade movies, “Parole,” is to open at the Alamo Theater tomorrow for a three-day run. The picture concerns the parole board system, and features baby faced “molls” appearing before pa role boards for the purpose of gete ting their friends freed without fin. ishing sentences. Then, according to ‘the picture, they are led into further lives of crime. Henry Hunter and Ann Preston have the leading
roles in the film. The second feature on the Alamo program is to be “Bulldog Courage” starring Tim McCoy.
Actor Fred Stone | Is Good Ice Skater
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 21.—One. of the best’ ice skaters in the screen colony is Fred Stone, currently ape pearing in “My American Wife.” Fred learned to skate for one of his Broadway shows in which he performed on the surface of a tiny tank on the stage.
Not a Dull Moment at
GRAHAM'S OLD INN
End of Beech Grove Car Line Extraordinary Attraction
KEN & GLEN Deluxe Entertainers Every Night Dance to ) DENNY DUTTON’S BOYS
Friday, and Saturday
WE SERVE BRUCK’S BEER on tap exclusive
PRICE PAROLE? AND WHO PAYS?
Thousands of prisoners and their pretty molls are paroled each year —only to prey again on innocent men, women and children! See this gripping andsensational picture of con-
ditions that lead to crime and cc anage! :
TIM M’COoY
. n “Bulldog . Courage’
PRESENTATIONS
WEST SIDE
eT ATE 22W 10st STATE ube fae “ESCAPE FROM DEVIL'S ISLAND”
BELMONT W. Wash. & Belmont
Double Feature xa orrets Horton wl OL” “TROUBLE > Rn W. Mich. St. DAISY Double Feature is Dick Foran “TREACHERY RIDES THE RAN “SONG AND DANCE MAN” NORTH SIDE is and 34th ble Feature WI Ann Har “FARMER IN THE DELL”
ZARING sm x
| GARRICK:
Loretta Y : as payin e “MURDER BY AN ARI1 . Nm. , h "EAGLES
|SANDERS
IRVING
EAST SIDE
RIVOLI 8155 E. 10th
. Newly Cooled ry Ellis “FATAL LADY” “MELODY TRAIL”
Double Feature e Withers “LITTLE MISS NOBODY” “PRIDE OF THE MARINE INES” 5507 E. Ww St. Double. F re “IT’S A GREAT Be Wendy Barrie, “SPEED”
EMERSON ‘Sf Bhs
Double Feature Davis
“THE GO ARROW” "CONNECTICUT YANKEE”
HAMILTON
“PRIVATE be “LITTLE MISS NOBODY” :
Sells) 2116 E. 10th 88. Double Featire bert Tayles
are PARKER Bc ¥elhert
“ROAD GANG” ° . “THE GOLDEN ARROW”
1332 E.
Ht E Washingion
BBL Be
"FOUNTAIN .
RCT EACULA'S DA Singh
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: | AVALON "TE “GENTLE JOA V ithers
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